England’s cricket team arrived in Pakistan early Sunday to play three Tests for the first time in the country since 2005.
England played a successful Twenty20 series two months ago in Pakistan but have declined to play a Test match there for 17 years because of the precarious security situation.
England’s Test skipper Ben Stokes quashed all fears following a positive security advice.
“It’s been a long time since England have played Test cricket in Pakistan,” Stokes said in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
Pakistan, led by star batter Babar Azam, will be without key fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi who is nursing a knee injury and experienced leg-spinner Yasir Shah, not selected due to poor form.
England fast bowler Mark Wood is in doubt for the first Test with a hip injury while experienced James Anderson, the only survivor of the 2005 tour but did not figure in the 2-0 series defeat, will lead the attack.
